Rewards and Fairies - Penn State University
Rewards and Fairies - Penn State University
Rewards and Fairies - Penn State University
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‘Poor Honest Men’<br />
Your jar of Virginny<br />
Will cost you a guinea,<br />
Which you reckon too much by five shilling or ten;<br />
But light your churchwarden<br />
And judge it accordin’<br />
When I’ve told you the troubles of poor honest men.<br />
From the Capes of the Delaware,<br />
As you are well aware,<br />
We sail with tobacco for Engl<strong>and</strong>— but then<br />
Our own British cruisers,<br />
They watch us come through, sirs,<br />
And they press half a score of us poor honest men.<br />
Or if by quick sailing<br />
(Thick weather prevailing)<br />
We leave them behind (as we do now <strong>and</strong> then)<br />
We are sure of a gun from<br />
Each frigate we run from,<br />
Which is often destruction to poor honest men!<br />
<strong>Rewards</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Fairies</strong><br />
128<br />
Broadsides the Atlantic<br />
We tumble short-h<strong>and</strong>ed,<br />
With shot-holes to plug <strong>and</strong> new canvas to bend,<br />
And off the Azores,<br />
Dutch, Dons <strong>and</strong> Monsieurs<br />
Are waiting to terrify poor honest men!<br />
Napoleon’s embargo Is laid on all cargo<br />
Which comfort or aid to King George may intend;<br />
And since roll, twist <strong>and</strong> leaf,<br />
Of all comforts is chief,<br />
They try for to steal it from poor honest men!<br />
With no heart for fight,<br />
We take refuge in flight,<br />
But fire as we run, our retreat to defend,<br />
Until our stern-chasers<br />
Cut up her fore-braces,<br />
And she flies off the wind from us poor honest men!